Pride in Penmanship

                                                                                                 Julie Kemp Pick



With the advent of computers and text-messaging people spend less time writing long-hand. I think my kids went from printing to typing to texting, spending little time if any on cursive writing. I remember them briefly tracing cursive letters in writing workbooks, but then it was back to printing again.

My great aunt had beautiful penmanship that she took great pride in. As a young girl, my grandmother encouraged me to call and thank her for sending me Birthday cards that were filled with exquisite calligraphy. Each year I was hoping she'd find a way to stuff a Barbie outfit into that envelope, but called her anyway. She continued to write beautifully with a steady hand throughout her 80's, and even addressed envelopes for my wedding shower. My grandmother also possessed perfect penmanship, but she preferred her older sister's. That talent was not passed on to me.

As a lefty, I always struggled with my handwriting. Whenever I had to write papers on warm days in school, the ink would smear on the paper, and my hands would turn blue. I don't know who was more excited when my parents bought me a portable electric typewriter. Actually, I think my teachers were.

Poor penmanship has plagued me my entire life. I remember my younger son was accused of forging my signature in grammar school when he brought a note asking to be dismissed early for a dental appointment. His fourth grade teacher thought that the note was written in his chicken scratch. Then my son was quick to point out that there were no spelling mistakes in the letter; another great rescue.  





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